Clinical Profile, Endoscopic Findings, and Outcomes Among Inpatients With Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a United Kingdom District General Hospital.

Abstract

Background Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is a medical emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Prognosis and management are typically determined by the patient's clinical features and findings on endoscopy. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, risk stratification, endoscopic findings, and therapeutic interventions in patients presenting with AUGIB at Queens Hospital, Burton, United Kingdom, in 2024. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of all inpatients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for hematemesis and/or melena from January to December 2024. Data on demographics, Glasgow-Blatchford Score (GBS), hemodynamic status, endoscopic diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes were obtained from electronic medical records and analyzed using SPSS Version 23 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Sixty-four patients (mean age 72.1±15.8; 71% male) were included. Nonvariceal bleeding accounted for 92% of cases, with duodenal ulcers (17%) and gastric ulcers (11%) as leading etiologies. All patients were risk-assessed using the GBS on admission. Twenty-five percent of patients with nonvariceal bleeding required therapeutic endoscopy, primarily using dual or triple modalities. Variceal bleeds (8%) were managed with terlipressin, antibiotics, and band ligation based on endoscopic grade. Re-bleeding occurred in 3.1% of patients, necessitating further interventions. Conclusion AUGIB predominantly affected elderly males, with nonvariceal etiologies, particularly peptic ulcers, being most common. Universal risk stratification and timely endoscopic intervention in line with best practices helped improve outcomes. The study recorded a low re-bleeding rate.